This Sarasota Holiday Light Display Is Top-10 In The Country

We’re in the heart of the Christmas season and if you’re looking to add more attractions to your list, you’re in luck. Selby Gardens in Sarasota, Florida has one of the best light displays in the country and it’s just getting started. Lights in Bloom is back this year, and better than ever.

Lights in Bloom takes over the Selby Botanical Gardens with over 2 million dazzling lights across more than 15 acres of gardens and walkways of the Sarasota campus. The gardens are located smack in the heart of downtown Sarasota. There are photo ops for the family, activities and entertainment that will keep you around all night. You can expect balloon twisting, face painting and more.

Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President & CEO of Selby Gardens said, “Now in its 20th year, our award-winning Lights in Bloom® show really has become a must-do tradition in the Sarasota region. We love welcoming community members of all ages to experience our downtown bayfront sanctuary magically transformed for the year-end holidays.”

Lights in Bloom® is ranked #6 in the country by USA Today as 10 Best Readers Choice Contest for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights and also ranked top-10 back in 2019 and 2021.

The Lights in Bloom opens on December 8th and runs through January 3rd. Take a walk through Sarasota’s dazzling display with either Early Entry Tickets or General Admission. Doors open at 5:30 PM for early entry guests and 6:30 PM for general admission. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $15 for children 5-17, and are free for children under 4.

You can find  more information on ticket pricings, as well as general information, at the Selby Gardens website, here. There is no walk-up admission available for purchase. If you would like to park onsite, there are limited spots available for $20.

The lights are available December 8-10, 12-23, 26-30 and January 1-3. Don’t miss your opportunity to see one of the best light displays in the country.

Looking for some ways to get into the holiday spirit without breaking the bank? You've come to the right place! One of our favorite holiday traditions is driving around neighborhoods in the Tampa metro area to see some of the best Christmas lights displays. Scroll down to see our favorite neighborhoods.

There are plenty of events and options to see some dazzling Christmas displays. But keep in mind how much you'll have to pay to get in and how much you'll spend on holiday-themed drinks, snacks, etc. Some families work for days to get their houses lit up beautifully for the holidays. Why not take advantage of the free Christmas light displays around the Tampa Bay area? If driving around isn't enough for you, we have the must-see holiday events guide here. 

We have a lot of non-traditional holiday celebrations in Tampa. While many other cities can take advantage of winter-themed celebrations, we have to get creative in the Sunshine State. Light-up boat parades are one of the more popular Florida Christmas events, you can see Christmas sand sculptures or make "sand angels". And all of our theme parks transform into a holiday paradise.  Here are some unique ways you can spend your Christmas day in Tampa.

When driving around the area gazing at lights, remember to respect the privacy of the families in their houses. Try not to park in front of their yard or ask them to keep their displays on longer. Also, keep in mind some families might turn off their displays when it's raining. We got our inspiration for this list from a Reddit thread and added a few of our favorites.

You could spend hours just admiring the houses along Bayshore Blvd and in Hyde Park, but during the holidays it's another level. The best street is South Boulevard between Swann and Bayshore.

The neighborhoods of Lake Park Estates, Wieker, Lakeside Estates, and Lake Seminole Village, generously decorate their homes and yards with over 3.0 miles of Christmas Lights and Decorations for the public to enjoy. Donations are accepted at the Suncoast Hospice Cart located along the route. 100% of the donations are provided to Suncoast Hospice to support their community activities. Find more info here.

This Palm Harbor neighborhood has been going all out for the holidays for YEARS! You can drive down any street in this neighborhood and find all of the houses decked out in lights.

The St Petersburg Oakdale neighborhood has been putting on this nationally recognized Christmas display for 46 YEARS! They have 500,000 lights, fantastic 18 Train HO Scale Model Railroad and more! They'll be open from Friday November 24, 2023 to January 3, 2024. Click here for more info.

This neighborhood in Temple Terrace starts decorating for Christmas in SEPTEMBER! So you know the stroll through the neighborhood is worth it.

Address: 7804 River Ridge Dr Temple Terrace, FL 33637

This Tampa neighborhood goes all out every year for the holidays. Drive by houses with decked out lights, inflatables, and a light show tuned to a radio station!

Any Tampa local knows all about the Chick-Fil-A on Waters Ave in Town n' Country. Every year this stores Christmas lights display gets bigger and bigger. We can't wait to see what they do this year!